A startling disparity in Bollywood's financial ecosystem is coming to light, revealing how crores from film budgets are being funneled into hair and makeup departments while writers struggle to make ends meet with paltry amounts.
The Lavish Life of Beauty Teams
Top hair and makeup artists in the industry are commanding staggering fees of up to ₹1 lakh per day, along with extravagant perks that include:
- First-class air travel for entire teams
- Luxurious 5-star hotel accommodations
- Substantial entourages with multiple assistants
- Separate makeup and hair teams for single actors
The Writer's Struggle
In stark contrast, screenwriters—the very foundation of any film—often receive shockingly low payments that barely cover basic living expenses. Many writers work for months on scripts only to be paid amounts that don't reflect their creative contribution to the project.
Industry Insiders Speak Out
Several production house executives confirmed this budgeting trend, noting that star makeup artists have become so powerful that they can demand these premium packages. "When a star insists on their preferred makeup artist, producers have little choice but to agree to these demands," revealed a veteran production controller.
The Bigger Picture
This financial imbalance raises serious questions about Bollywood's value system. While visual presentation receives royal treatment, the creative minds crafting stories—the backbone of cinema—remain severely undervalued and undercompensated.
The situation highlights an urgent need for budget restructuring and fair compensation practices that recognize writers' crucial role in filmmaking success.
